2018 The Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Championship – Overall Result

Sep 14, 2018

The Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Hill Climb Championship looked like it might already have been decided after the first ten rounds but the mathematical possibilities and some superb performances really changed things around.

The 2018 overall champion is Mark Crookall.

Mark, the 2017 champion, takes the 2018 championship after some superb performances at the July and September meetings. At the September meeting Mark needed to pull out all the stops and take ar elast one round win. However, the MX5 Class is so competitive these days it wasn’t going to be an easy task. Mark and Jason Richardson have been swapping wins all season and the mathematics also mean that Jason was in with a chance of the overall title too. Mark overcame Jason’s times in both September rounds and won the championship. Jason wasn’t even in the top ten after round eight but finished fourth!

Many of the place positions were decided on the drop-score rules used in the event of a points tie.

More on the class championships in the next report.

The Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb Championship Overall Result:

SECOND – Paul Dickinson

THIRD – James Moore

FOURTH – Jason Richardson

FIFTH – Phil Price

We would like to thank all the drivers who entered the championship for their continued support and the Meadens Motor Group for their kind sponsoshiip in 2018!

E&OE

Anthony Record – Press Officer – BARC SW, Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb

Marshal of the Year 2018

Sep 14, 2018

At the September meeting we announced the Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb Marshal of the Year.

The entire marshalling team vote of the marshal of the year. This year’s is our Cheif Marshall, Alan Osgood. Here he is looking rather surprised just after the announcement was made!

Congratulations to Alan!

Anthony Record – Press Officer Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb

RESULT – The Cavendish Ships Stores BARC SW Top Ten Challenge

Sep 14, 2018

The Cavendish Ships Stores BARC SW Top Ten Challenge title had already been decided after the July meetings with some great performances put in by Peter D Smith in the Force PT he shares with Richard Gaylard.

Peter had a chance to take a clean sweep at the September meeting but a mechanical failure, a drive shaft breakage, put paid to that during practice. Unfortunately, this also put paid to his co-drivers challenge aspirations too. Richard Gaylard looke like a second place was likely but with the points so close, the September meetings scoring would make a difference to the almost all of those in the top ten of the challenge.

The Result of the Cavendish Ships Stores BARC SW Top Ten Challenge 2018 were:

SECOND – Paul Crute

THIRD EQUAL – Chris Cannell

THIRD EQUAL – Richard Gaylard

We would like to thank all of our sponsor, Cavendish Ships Stores for their continued support in 2018!

E&OE

Anthony Record – Press Officer – BARC SW, Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb

Championship Finale – How Things Change!

Sep 12, 2018

The final event of the year at Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb took place on Sunday 9th September. The final two rounds of the Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb Championship and the final round of the Cavendish Ships Stores BARC SW Top Ten Challenge produced some interesting results and changed the class and overall results because of some great performances. There will be more on that in the Championship and Challenge Report later this week. There might be a few hints as to the consequences of these results and what they might mean to the championship and challenge but you will need to wait for the full report.

The September meeting hosted a number of invited championships and classes. These championships were the Triumph Register Cars, MG Cars, Austin Healeys and Sprites and the historic 500cc racing cars.

The Fastest Time of the Day was Neal Coles in his OMS 28 with a 30.07s second timed run. His first timed run was 30.08s, a very consistent performance. It was his first ever Fastest Time of the Day and seemed rather pleased about it as anyone would!

RESULTS IN FULL:

The Triumph Register Class

Roderick Warner and his TR7 V8 dominated this class from the outset finishing he improved his first timed run performance which was 40.73s with a second timed run of 40.34s, leaving the rest the class in his wake, fighting for the places. It looked like it might be quite tight for second until Dale Huxford Spitfire put in a 42.76s second timed run. Roger McEwen in his TR6 was third (44.69s).

The MG Class

There were twelve cars and driver combinations entered in the MG Class. Last years event winner, Ben Rolls in his Sprite maintained his winning form with a second timed run of 39.71s. Richard Withers, last year second place driver, really pushed Ben. After the first timed runs they were just 0.07s apart. Richard improved his time but not quite enough, he ended on 39.95s just 0.24s behind Ben.

The Austin Healey Class – Big Healey and Warwick Cars Class

The Big Healey and Warwick cars went next. After the first timed run, Richard Mason lead Paul Baker and John Tewson. All three of their times were covered by just 0.35s. But it was John Tewson’s day! He improved his time by more than one second giving him first on 38.48s, beating John Mason by just one hundredth, John Mason stopped the clocks on 38.49s! Paul Baker didn’t improve on his time and end on 39.83s for third.

The Austin Healey Class – Austin Healey Sprite Class

The Austin Healey Sprite Class had six drivers entered. Colin Gale lead after the first timed run with a 39.77s. He was just 0.19s in front of Joe Mackrell. But Joe improved his time in the second time run by more than half a second and finished on 39.27s. Colin didn’t manage to improve his time and took second.

Regular Gurston Classes

The Gurston Down MX5 Class supported by the Window Doctor

The 2017 Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Champion, Mark Crookall produced a great first timed run, beating the class target time. Jason Richardson dis the same but was just 0.14s behind Mark. Mark on 40.14s and Jason on 40.28s respectively in their MX5 RSs.

Neither driver improved on their times on the second runs. Jason was just 0.01s behind his first timed run with a 40.29s but was pipped by Mark who finished on 40.28s. These two have scored great points for the championship but more on that later. Chris Burch was third on 40.66s.

Road Going Series Production Class up to 1400cc Class

John Davey, Managing Director of our Top Ten Challenge sponsor, Cavendish Ships Stores set a new class record in this class and took the class win with a 41.21s first timed run. David Nutland was second in his Mini Cooper S on 41.46s.

Road Going Series Production Class up to 2000cc, supported by Record-Designs

Dean Cubitt in his Mazda MX5 had stiff opposition in Tim Forster in his Lotus Elan, Dean lead after the first timed run by 0.25s with a 38.74s. He improved his time in the second timed run finishing on 38.50s with Tim just 0.10s behind on 38.60s. The Davies’, Chris and Russell in their Honda Civic were third and fourth, respectively. Alex England end the day with his first sub 40s run. Needless to say he was extremely happy with his 39.93s!

Over 2000cc Road Going Series Production Class, supported by Turbo Dynamics

After the first timed run Simon Neve in his Mitsubishi Evo was quickest with a 34.74s. Mike Rudge, Ford Focus RS, second on 37.19s, Andrew Thorp, Porsche Cayman S, on 37.46s, and Sean Fudge, Subaru Impreza on 37.49s.

Thanks to Stuart Freeman for this great picture of Mike having an issue with Ashes….

Simon Neve didn’t improve his first run time. But both Andrew Thorp and Mike Rudge scored identical times of 36.72s which were personal bests for them both. A great end of season for them both. Mike Rudge took the second place because of his faster first timed run leaving Andrew third, although he won’t be disappointed with that! An interesting addition to the class was Isabella Lawrence in a Mitsubishi Evo, not only was she competing for the first time – she got her competition licence on Friday before the meeting! 37.83s is a great time. Look out for Isabella next season!

Road Going Specialist Production Class, supported by Fieldfare Trailer Centre

The first three in this class, Clive Skipper’s 2.0 Caterham HPC, Adrian Lewis’ 1.4 Westfield Megabusa and Anthony Orchard, sharing the Lewis Westfield produced some great times. There was just 0.48s difference in their first timed runs, their positions didn’t change in the second timed runs although Adrian the only one making an improvement. They finished in that order with 34.06s, 34.08s and 34.54s respectively.

The Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Cars upto 2000cc Class

Andrew Hurle was the only runner in this class and stopped the clock on 39.84s.

The Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Cars over 2000cc Class

Phil Price in the Porsche 911 has been the man to beat in this class all season and September wasn’t any different. He stamped his authority on the class from the first timed run finishing with a 33.33s and then imprived that time in the second run with a 33.25s. Graham Beale in the Ginetta just could not match Phil’s pace and came second on 35.11s.

The up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Car Class

Neil Turner, the class record holder, in his super fast Mini dominated this class from the outset. His first timed run of 35.34s was over three seconds ahead of his nearest rival Derek Mullis on 38.75s. Neil marginally improved his time on the second timed rin with a 35.21s. Derek Mullis’s first timed run was good enough to secure second.

Over 2000cc Modified Series Production Car Class, supported by Meadens Skoda

Steven Moore in his Mitsubishi Evo had a great weekend, breaking the class record on both timed runs. 32.45s in the first timed run and 32.27s in the second. A great performance! The Aston Martin Vantage shared by Tim Painter and Andy Fraser gave them second and third respectively, scoring valuable points in the championship.

The Modified Specialist Production Class, supported Gates of Brockenhurst

Steve Holland and his Caterham Hayabusa had a great first timed run with a 31.75s climb, Martin Watson in his Westfield SEiW was second, just 0.16s behind Steve. Martin didn’t make the second run so the result after the first stood. Richie Gatt in another Westfield was third on 33.20s.

The Historically Interesting Class, supported by Kelvin Jouhar

Sue Hayes in her Palliser WDF3 had this class in the bag after the first timed run, dominating it throughout the day. Her tuime of 36.76s was almost six seconds ahead of second place man Brian Gent in the Gilbern GTwith a 42.75s run.

Hill Climb Super Sports Cars Class

There were just two cars entered in this class on Sunday, Mark Mortimer and Richard Fry both in Mallocks. Mark has Gurston experience which paid off and he took the class with a good margin, finishing on 34.80s.

The Sports Libre up to 1400cc Class

Craig Russell in his Westfield XTR2 had a great day, taking the win. Peter Steel in his Guille Mallock, the current class record holder, just couldn’t match Craig’s pace on the day. Craig finished on 36.07s and Peter on 37.62s.

The Sports Libre 1400cc to 2000cc, supported by Class Lewis Property Services and The Sports Libre over 2000cc Class were amalgamated

Chris Cannell took an early lead and unsurprisingly stayed ahead in the more powerful over 2000cc Force SR8 and finished on 30.29s with the under 2000cc WEV HCS-BDG of Keith Diggle second on 31.73s. Great times for both drivers.

The 601cc to 1100cc Racing Car Class, supported by Drynham Project Management

The OMS shared by Murray Wakeham and Alan Joy was the car to beat in this class. Murray took the win with a 32.81s, second timed run and Alan, second, on 33.07s with Steve Loadsman third in his OMS on 34.30s.

The Formula Ford Class- Cars up to 1600cc, amalgamated with the 500 Owners Association (2001 Rules) Car Class

David Matthews in his Zeus ZR163 won this class with a sub 40 second run, finishing on 39.93s with the Lola P.101 of Stuart Barnes, second on 49.85s.

1101cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class, supported by SM AeRoTechniques with Brian and Adrian Moody

Peter D Smith and Richard Gayland had a mechanical issue which took them out after practice which left Heal Coles in his OMS 28 and George Brown in his OMS CF07 to fight for the class win. Not only did Neal win the class he also set Fastest Time of the Day with a 30.07s second timed run. Peter and Richard would have to have worked hard to beat that time!

The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Class – Normally Aspirated

Roger Cock has made a good return to Gurston Down this year in his Pilbeam MP54 and took the win with a 32.54s beating Dave Lord in the Quest by just over half a second.

The Over 2000cc Racing Car Class

Paul Crute in the Jaguar powered OMS28 took the class win over Rodney Eyles in the Pilbeam MP54 although it wasn’t quite quick enough for Fastest Time of the Day but helped him with his Top Ten Challenge. Paul’s time 30.40s and Rodney just 0.45s behind.

We would like to thank everyone who made the day possible, the office staff, the marshals, timekeepers, scrutineers and officials without whom we couldn’t run the meeting. Thanks to Ashley Wood Recovery, TSL Timing, Steve Lister, A-Cute Medical Services, Venture Security and Peter Crutcher from Ringwood PA.

Anthony Record – Press Officer BARC SW Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb

Annual Awards 13th October – Applications Now Open

Aug 30, 2018

Annual Awards Lunch – Applications Now Open

Saturday 13th October 2018

At The Mercure White Hart Hotel, St John Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire. SP1 2SD

APPLICATION FORM IS HERE

Arrive 12.00 noon to sit down at 12.30pm, followed by the presentation of the awards

Hot and Cold Buffet served with fresh bread, rice and jacket potatoes. A selection of desserts:
Adults and children over 12 years £25.00 per ticket
Children 5-12 years £12.50 per ticket
Children under 5 free of charge

Please send the completed application to:
Miss Becky Crocombe, 43 Hawcroft, Holt, Trowbridge, Wiltshire. BA14 6RN (any queries please
contact beckycrocombe@hotmail.co.uk )

APPLICATION FORM

Preview Championship Finale – September 9th

Aug 29, 2018

The final event of the year at Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb takes place on Sunday 9th September with two more rounds of the Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb Championship and the final round of the Cavendish Ships Stores BARC SW Top Ten Challenge. There is a full entry for Sunday’s event which should result in a full day of exciting and entertaining action.

Over 120 cars and drivers will compete in standard road cars, classic and modern cars and amazingly fast sport and single seat racing cars. All of them will pit their wits against the fast and twisty course at Wiltshire’s famous Speed Hill Climb Venue and each other to score valuable championship points.

Spectators have unrivalled access to the hill, paddock and facilities. The excellent catering and refreshments are available on site too.

You really can’t get closer to the action!

The overall Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb Championship has, on a mathematical basis, not been decided. Paul Dickinson in the Honda S2000 is in charge and leads the championship. However, Paul has not entered in the September meeting so things could easily change. There are a number of other drivers who could pip him to the title, the most likely on current form is Mark Crookall. He could take the lead if he were to repeat his performance at the Sunday of the July meetings, when he broke the championship target times and class record on both runs. Sunday’s timed runs will determine the ultimate champion!

The Cavendish Ships Stores BARC-SW Top Ten Challenge was won at the July meetings. Peter D Smith with the Force PC took an unassailable lead. However, the next three places are still up for grabs. But who will it be?

Our September meeting hosts a number of invited championships and classes. These championships are the Triumph Register Cars, MG Cars, Austin Healeys and the historic 500cc racing cars. The Fastest Time of the Day will win The Russell Challenge Trophy, but who will that be?

Preview in detail:

The Triumph Register Class

The TR Class will be first to come to the line. It’s another full entry here so it will probably be a close fought battle. The TR7 V8s of Roderick Warner won in 2017, his experience should help him with the rest of the class. But you can’t ignore any of the car and driver combinations in this class.

The MG Class

There are twelve cars and driver combinations running in this class. Last years event winner, Ben Rolls in his Sprite must start favourite. He has last years second and third placed men, Richard Withers and Paul Bernal-Ryan in addition to the rest of the class so it might not be as clear cut as it might seem.

The Austin Healey Class – Big Healey and Warwick Cars Class

There are eight Big Healey and Warwick cars entered in this class. With Paul Baker and Pat Cooper last years first and second place respectively entered, not only will it be competitive but close too. You can’t really ignore any other drivers here either.

The Austin Healey Class – Austin Healey Sprite Class

The Austin Healey Sprite Class has six drivers entered. The 2017 event was won by Robin Johnson in his Sprite. But the entry has a number of drivers who won’t let Robin take the win without a fight!

Regular Gurston Classes

The Gurston Down MX5 Class supported by the Window Doctor

The 2017 Meadens Skoda Gurston Down Champion, Mark Crookall, returns to the hill in his Mazda Roadster RS after breaking his own record twice at July’s Sunday meeting. Can he do it again? Or will Jason Richardson do the same? But there are a few others who will be pushing Mark and Jason and will take advantage of any errors either of them make.

Road Going Series Production Class up to 1400cc Class

There is a larger than normal entry in this class. John Davey, Managing Director of our Top Ten Challenge sponsor, Cavendish Ships Stores is sharing his MG Midget with Pete Hammock. John probably starts favourite but David Nutland has had better reliability as a result scored better in the championship.

Road Going Series Production Class up to 2000cc, supported by Record-Designs

Tim Forster in his Lotus Elan will be looking for some strong championship points to help with his class championship challenge. Dean Cubitt in the Mazda MX5 will be looking for the same. There are a couple of new car and driver combinations and some names coming back. Will Dave Newman and his MX5 or David Bellamy in the Peugeot 106 spice up the class a little bit!

Over 2000cc Road Going Series Production Class, supported by Turbo Dynamics

Shaun Fudge is in a strong position in the class championship and with his major competitor, Jon Maycock not entered, it would seem that Shaun might have an easier time. But he will have Simon Neve in the Mitsubishi Evo, providing the cars issues have been resolved, to content with as well as Mike Rudge in the Focus RS and Rodney Eyles in a Alfa Romeo 4C, the later two new to the class.

Road Going Specialist Production Class, supported by Fieldfare Trailer Centre

Clive Skipper’s 2.0 Caterham HPC, Adrian Lewis’ 1.4 Westfield Megabusa or Anthony Orchard, sharing the Lewis Westfield are the three to watch in this class. are the most likely winners in this class. Clive is ahead in the championship so Adrian will need a great performance to help with his title hopes.

The Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Cars upto 2000cc Class

This class has just two entrants, Martin Biggs and Andrew Hurle. Andrew’s 1962cc car might well dominate the class but it’s all about performance on the day.

The Modified Limited Production Marque Sports Cars over 2000cc Class

Phil Price in the Porsche 911 has been the man to beat in this class. He currently leads the class championship from Graham Beale in the Ginetta. There are some lovely cars in this class, Bob Mortimer’s Porsche and Paul Slades’ E Type, all will be looking for championship points.

The up to 1400cc Modified Series Production Car Class

Neil Turner, the class record holder starts this class as favourite. He needs two wins and the points to help his class championship position. If he can managed that, he will win the class. Derek Mullis and David Bean will make sure he works for the win but they are require points too.

Over 2000cc Modified Series Production Car Class, supported by Meadens Skoda

Steven Moore has been pretty dominant in the class this year. He won’t be looking for championship points but he will be looking for a class record. The gorgeous the Aston Martin Vantage of Tim Painter and Andrew Fraser and Mark Walker in his 4.0 Porsche Cayman S will be looking to keep Steven on his toes but they will all have an up hill battle.

The Modified Specialist Production Class, supported Gates of Brockenhurst

Martin Watson in his Westfield SEiW has the class championship sown-up but that doesn’t mean the rest of the class will let him take the class win at this meeting. Richie Gatt and Steve Holland will be making sure he works for the win.

The Historically Interesting Class, supported by Kelvin Jouhar

Sunday brings some beautifully presented historically interesting cars to Gurston Down. Sue Hayes bring her 1.6 Palliser WDF3, the Jensen C-V8 Mk1 driven by Richard Lovell-Butt and two Gilbern’s of Brian Gent and Ken Young. The class is a little difficult to call but Sue Hayes is the likely class winner here.

Hill Climb Super Sports Cars Class

There are just two cars entered in this class. Mark Mortimer and Richard Fry both in Mallocks. Mark has Gurston experience which is bound to help.

The Sports Libre up to 1400cc Class

This class has a great entry. Peter Steel in his Guille Mallock is the current class record holder and looks like he’ll be the one to beat.

The Sports Libre 1400cc to 2000cc, supported by Class Lewis Property Services

There are just two cars entered in this class. The WEV HCS-BDG of Keith Diggle and the Lancia Stratos of Malcolm Cole. Keith has been pretty dominant in this class and we expect Sunday to be no exception.

Sports Libre over 2000cc Class

Chris Cannell is the only entrant in his Force SR8. Chris will be looking for a fast time so he can add to his Top Ten Challenge points.

The 500 Owners Association – (2001 Rules) Class

The ‘500 Owners Association – 2001 Rules” historic 500cc racing cars will run next. There is just one entry, Stuart Barnes in the Lola P.101.

The 601cc to 1100cc Racing Car Class, supported by Drynham Project Management

There’s a small entry in this class and without James Moore entered, there will be some good championship points available to the entrants in this class. But who will take the class win?

The Formula Ford Class – Cars up to 1600cc

There is just one entrant in this class, David Matthews in his Zeus 163.

1101cc to 1600cc Racing Car Class, supported by SM AeRoTechniques with Brian and Adrian Moody

Peter D Smith and Richard Gayland are back in their Force. They will be both be looking for Top Ten Challenge points and be in the hunt for Fastest Time of the Day.

The 1601cc to 2000cc Racing Car Class – Normally Aspirated

There are just two entries in this class. Roger Cock has made a good return to Gurston Down this year in his Pilbeam MP54. But Dave Lord in the Quest has had better performances this season so it will probably be Dave’s day.

The Over 2000cc Racing Car Class

Paul Crute in the Jaguar powered OMS28 is the only entrant in this class but like Peter D Smith, he will be looking for Top Ten Challenge points and Fastest Time of the Day.

The Championship Finale will be a decider for the Top Ten Challenge and most of the Gurston Down Championship Class titles. It will be a specular day!

Why not come and join us?

Anthony Record – Press Officer BARC SW Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb

Key info
Location: 1 mile west of Broad Chalke, 9 miles SW of Salisbury, Wiltshire. Turn off the A354 at Coombe Bissett on the unclassified road to Broad Chalke, follow AA signs.
Dates: Sunday September 9th
Times: Competition from approx. 1300, practice from 0830 both days.
Admission: Only £10 for adults each day, accompanied under 15s free, free paddock entry, free parking.